Before her stroke, Carrie-Anne was always on the move. A chef, keen runner and busy mum, she worked up to 70 hours a week, ran 10 kilometres in the mornings and helped keep her household running. Then, without warning, her life changed. Carrie-Anne experienced a catastrophic subarachnoid haemorrhage followed by multiple strokes. Until then, she had thought of stroke as something that happened primarily to older people. “Nothing could have prepared me for it happening, especia

On 22 July, the Neurological Council of WA was proud to host our World Brain Day Neurological Summit, bringing together clinicians, researchers, service providers, government representatives, people living with neurological conditions, carers and community advocates to recognise this year’s World Brain Day theme, Brain Health: Access for All.

Read Melissa's journey with chronic fatigue syndrome, shedding light on the unseen struggles, resilience and how it impacts daily life.

Cognition and communication changes can occur for many reasons, including a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn how to have respectful conversations and plan supports early.

What is Myasthenia Gravis? Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular condition that disrupts communication between nerves and muscles. In people with MG, this signalling process is disrupted, making it harder for muscles to respond. As a result, muscles become weak and tire more easily. MG primarily affects voluntary muscles (those under conscious control) particularly in the face, neck, arms and legs. Everyday functions such as moving the arms and legs, fa

Roy and Community Neurological Nurse, Deb Barndon at Geraldton NeuFriends Coffee Club How acceptance, support and a positive mindset help Roy live with MND Roy doesn’t shy away from the truth. Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), he hit rock bottom — emotionally and physically. “Every morning was worse than the last,” he recalls. “I’d sit on the bed and think, I can’t get through today.” For two years, he lived in near-complete isolation, barely speaking to anyone, car

Etta Palumbo - CEO Neurological Council of WA and Karen Quick - CEO Meningitis Centre Australia A message from Etta Palumbo, CEO, Neurological Council of WA In 2022, Australia became a signatory to the World Health Organisation’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders — a global commitment to improving neurological health through better prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support. This year marks a significant step toward fulfilling tha

“It was a bit of a shock,” Greg says of his 2020 Parkinson’s diagnosis. “I thought I was reasonably healthy… it came out of left field.” A now retired maths and IT teacher, Greg had noticed in the classroom that his hand was shaking, but he didn’t think much of it at first. What stood out more though, was how he was feeling. “I was finding it a bit difficult,” he says. “I felt stressed — a bit emotional, which isn’t like me.” Later, he learned these emotional changes weren’t

Our brains are always changing — from birth through to old age — shaped by the way we live, learn, eat, sleep and move. While some neurological changes are beyond our control, research shows that many aspects of brain health are modifiable. That means the choices we make each day can strengthen our brains, protect against cognitive decline and support better outcomes for people living with neurological conditions. This article explores practical, evidence-backed strategies to

Finding beauty in the everyday — Sharon’s journey, grounded in the simple pleasures of life in Dongara - Port Denison, Western Australia. When Sharon Johns was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2021, she could already sense that something wasn’t quite right. Her foot had started to drag, her balance was off, and her ability to run had faded. “It was my GP who first really noticed something was wrong,” Sharon recalls. “She took one look at me walking and sent me fo

The Neurological Council of WA will launch its new Nurse Practitioner-led Headache and Migraine Clinic on 1 July — an innovative, community-based health initiative designed to proactively help manage the unique needs of headache patients. Headache disorders, including migraines, are among the most prevalent and disabling neurological conditions globally, with significant impacts on daily functioning, relationships, productivity and quality of life. With high and growing deman

Caring for a loved one with a neurological condition is a significant act of support and commitment, but it can also involve ongoing challenges, uncertainty and emotional strain. With over 600 recognised neurological conditions — including migraine, stroke, epilepsy, dementia, FND, motor neurone disease, Parkinson’s, brain and spinal injuries or tumours, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, autism and many others — each person’s experience is unique, and so is the support they n

As part of our ongoing efforts to promote brain health and reduce stigma, we’re shining a light on the range of neurological conditions that impact Western Australians. Neurological conditions are more common than many people realise, yet they are often poorly understood. These conditions affect the nervous system — including the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system or CNS), and the network of nerves throughout the body (peripheral nervous system or PNS). They can im

An Overview of YODWA’s Recent Webinar – Spicing It Up! In the ever-evolving landscape of dementia care, early and proactive support is critical — especially for those living with Young Onset Dementia (YOD). Unlike more common, age-related dementia, YOD affects people under the age of 65 — often at a time when they are working, parenting, and actively participating in their communities. The impact can be profound, affecting identity, employment, relationships, and independence

275 attendees came together in Perth, Western Australia, from the 1st-2nd of May 2025 to share information and insights with delegates across healthcare, disability, aged care, education and justice sectors. With over 40 guest speakers, this event brought together neurologists, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, people with lived experience, carers and representatives from community organisations and peak bodies to promote understanding through cross sector collaboration

We are excited to announce that NeuroKids will be part of the Telethon Family Festival on Sunday, October 20, 2024! This family-friendly event, expected to draw thousands of attendees, will take place at RAC Arena and stretch down Wellington Street to Yagan Square. As one of Western Australia’s most anticipated events, the Telethon Family Festival is a wonderful day of fun and celebration, with plenty of free activities for everyone to enjoy. As first-time recipients of a Tel

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a complex and debilitating disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest and cannot be explained by an underlying medical condition. CFS often comes with a mix of symptoms that make daily life feel like an uphill climb. How common is CFS? Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is more prevalent than many realize, affecting between 0.4% and 1% of the

The Neurological Council of WA is excited to announce the official launch of NeuroKids South West, a vital new nursing service dedicated to supporting children and young people with neurological conditions in the South West region. The launch event, held at Bunbury’s Sanctuary Golf Resort on the 31st of July 2024, was attended by the Hon Don Punch MLA, Member for Bunbury, who officially inaugurated the service. The event marked a significant milestone in the expansion of spec

What is functional neurological disorder? Functional neurological disorder (or FND) is a disorder in which the brain and body do not function harmoniously. The problem lies within the central nervous system. The normal pathways the brain uses to send and receive signals to move, feel, speak or think become disrupted leading to a range of motor and/or sensory symptoms. How common is FND? FND is a common neurological disorder, with 4–12 per 100,000 people affected each year (wo

Photography credit: Jacqui O'Leary (Pictured L-R: Brenda Matthews & Yasmin Naglazas) Adjunct Professor Yasmin Naglazas joins Parkinson’s WA as the incoming CEO following the departure of Brenda Matthews after a 20-year tenure. Yasmin said that although she was new to the role and hadn’t been with the organisation for long, it was refreshing to see the culture of the organisation very much aligned with the values and mission. “It’s very compelling to work in an organisation th